Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov outlined the country’s main priorities for biodiversity conservation, including improving the system of specially protected natural areas, expanding regional cooperation, working with the United Nations and creating the conditions necessary to meet international commitments, during the Leaders’ Summit dedicated to the 17th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Yerevan on Oct. 16.
The Head of state noted that biodiversity loss, climate change, desertification and land degradation are interconnected challenges that directly affect countries’ environmental security and sustainable development. Turkmenistan, which has unique natural ecosystems ranging from the Karakum Desert to the Kopetdag and Koytendag mountain ranges and the Caspian Sea coast, considers preserving its natural wealth an important area of state policy.
The Turkmen President identified improving the national system of specially protected natural areas, developing environmental monitoring and protecting rare animal and plant species as the country’s first priority. Serdar Berdimuhamedov cited Turkmenistan’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2035 as an important tool in this effort. The plan was developed in cooperation with international partners, taking into account the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Serdar Berdimuhamedov named expanding regional cooperation to conserve transboundary ecosystems, animal migration routes and natural resources as the second priority. Turkmenistan attaches particular importance to the protecting the Caspian Sea environment, preserving ecosystems in the Aral Sea basin and combating desertification.
The President identified making full use of the potential of the U.N., its specialized agencies and international environmental protection mechanisms as the third priority. Serdar Berdimuhamedov said Turkmenistan attaches particular importance to cooperation with UNESCO on preserving natural heritage and advancing scientific research. The inclusion of the country’s natural areas in the transnational World Heritage property “Cold Winter Deserts of Turan” was cited as a clear example of international cooperation.
Serdar Berdimuhamedov named ensuring the conditions necessary to fulfill international environmental commitments as the fourth priority. Turkmen President emphasized the importance of developing countries’ access to financial resources and modern technologies, strengthening national capacity and ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources, including digital sequence information.
The Head of state noted Turkmenistan would continue promoting initiatives on environmental security and climate resilience during the 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly. In particular, the country supports establishing the Ashgabat Climate Dialogue as an open multilateral platform for regular political and expert-level engagement. Turkmenistan is also advancing an initiative to establish a regional center for combating desertification for Central Asian countries.
The Turkmen President also addressed the interests of developing countries, including landlocked states. Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that global environmental goals cannot be achieved without taking these countries’ interests and specific needs into account. In this regard, Turkmen President highlighted the importance of the decisions of the Third U.N. Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, enshrined in the Awaza Programme of Action for 2024-2034 and the Awaza Political Declaration. He stressed the need to strengthen international support to expand access to climate and environmental financing, transfer modern environmental and digital technologies, and develop sustainable infrastructure capable of withstanding the effects of climate change.
Turkmen President expressed confidence that 17th Conference of the Parties would give fresh impetus to fulfilling existing commitments and strengthening international cooperation. Serdar Berdimuhamedov also reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s readiness to engage constructively with all interested countries and international organizations.
